LETTER TO THE EDITOR: City should follow through with lowering taxes in midst of pandemic

Having a resource-based economy, Nanaimo has long suffered the challenges for people to find gainful employment locally. As well, the mid-Island region generally has been identified as having one of the highest child poverty rates in all of B.C. Now, during these difficult times of the pandemic and people being isolated, the stress for many families will become overwhelming, especially with uncertainty as to economic viability post-pandemic.

Last year, Nanaimo city council deciding to increase property taxes by approximately five per cent for 2020. This increase not only affects homeowners but gets passed on to renters and those leasing buildings for small businesses. A number of municipalities in the Lower Mainland are considering lowering the property tax rates for 2020. I urge Nanaimo city council to not increase property taxes for this year or, at least to only fund those aspects identified as essential to our community.

The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. If you have a different view, we encourage you to write to us or contribute to the discussion below.